Fall River police nab 2 in Red's robbery

Two men are facing robbery charges after they were arrested in connection with the holdup of Red’s Quick Zone, 200 Broadway, on Feb. 22.

Joseph Clinton, 33, and Akie Headley, 19, both of 176 Eagle St., were arrested at home on Tuesday, charged with robbery while armed and masked.

By Kevin P. O’Connor

The Herald News, Fall River, MA

By Kevin P. O’Connor

Posted Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 22, 2013 at 10:03 PM

By Kevin P. O’Connor

Posted Mar. 22, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 22, 2013 at 10:03 PM

FALL RIVER

» Social News

Two men are facing robbery charges after they were arrested in connection with the holdup of Red’s Quick Zone, 200 Broadway, on Feb. 22.

Joseph Clinton, 33, and Akie Headley, 19, both of 176 Eagle St., were arrested at home on Tuesday, charged with robbery while armed and masked.

They were released on personal recognizance bail following their arraignment Wednesday before Fall River District Court Judge John Julian. Prosecutors alleged at the arraignment that both Clinton and Headley acted as lookouts in the robbery.

The clerk at Red’s called police at 3:50 a.m. Feb. 22 to report that a tall, thin man wearing a mask entered the store, displayed a black handgun and demanded money.

The man took off as soon as he had cash in hand. The clerk was not injured, police reported.

Officers saturated the area around Broadway between Kennedy Park and Columbia Street.

Officer Kevin Lopes said he stopped Clinton and Headley, who were seen running on a nearby street, police reported.

Because they did not match the description of the robber and were not wearing the clothing the store clerk described, the two were released that night. Both Clinton and Headley are listed on the police report as being 5 feet, 7 inches tall.

Police continued the investigation, canvassing the neighborhood and searching for witnesses, police reported.

“This was a coordinated effort between uniformed officers and our Major Crimes Division,” said Detective J.D. Costa, a department spokesman. “They worked together, trying to get an identification of the suspects.

“At the time of the robbery, the video tape was not readily available. They began their investigation without it.

“When the security video became available, they were able to proceed with the investigation.”

Detective Larry Ferreira joined the investigation. Police viewed the video and were able to identify Clinton at the store at around the time of the robbery, police allege.

Headley was also identified from the video after his arrest, police allege.

Officers Dwaine Cabeceiras and David Gouveia went to Eagle Street to arrest Clinton and Headley at home. They were held overnight in jail and arraigned Wednesday in district court.

Though prosecutors said the two did not go into the store during the robbery, they were charged with armed robbery because, prosecutors allege, they were part of a conspiracy that included the robbery of the store by a person who was armed and masked.

Under the law, any crime committed by one member of a conspiracy can be charged against every member of the conspiracy.

The two were released pending pretrial motions.

Prosecutors must determine if they will continue the case as a felony in superior court or reduce charges to present it in district court.